Is there anything cuter than a dachshund tricked out like a jack-o’-lantern? How about a parade of 200-plus doxies of all sizes dressed up in Halloween finery, with many owners in matching attire?

On Sunday from noon to 3 p.m., the San Diego Dachshund Club, affiliated with the American Kennel Club, will host its 23rd annual Hall-O-Wiener Picnic, complete with silly contests for the funniest, scariest, most creative and best owner and wiener costume. The club requests a $1 suggested donation per entry for each costume contest.

A long dachshund snout emerged from beneath a giraffe disguise at the annual event last year.Boyd Johnson

A long dachshund snout emerged from beneath a giraffe disguise at the annual event last year.

The picnic, which is free and open to the public, will be in Balboa Park at the corner of Park Boulevard and Presidents Way.

“Come dressed in your favorite Halloween costume, dress up your dachshund in a costume you’ve put together and join in the fun,” said club president Mechelle Stall, who explained that the origins of the picnic are lost. This year’s picnic will feature a display celebrating the club’s history and accomplishments in the 62 years since its 1951 founding.

This little dachshund wore her cowgirl hat at a rakish angle for the Hall-O-Wiener picnic. The event is sponsored by the San Diego Dachshund Club.
Boyd Johnson

This little dachshund wore her cowgirl hat at a rakish angle for the Hall-O-Wiener picnic. The event is sponsored by the San Diego Dachshund Club.

About 200 people, many with multiple doxies, attend each year and participate in their famous costumed dachshund parade. Judging for the contests will start at about 1 p.m., and the parade will kick off around 2 p.m.

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Many guests create elaborate costumes for their dogs, some in nontraditional Halloween themes.

“About eight years ago, two miniature dachshunds came dressed as Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, complete with top hat and tuxedo,” Stall said. Some picnic guests dress up pairs or trios of dogs in matching costumes and dress themselves as part of a tableau.

Although most of the participating dogs are purebreds, many are rescues, Stall said. The majority of dachshunds now are miniatures, under 11 pounds, rather than standards, from 21 to 30 pounds. Many others are considered “tweenies,” around 14 pounds.

An orange wizard costume and conical hat made for perfect Hall-O-Wiener picnic attire.

Guests are asked to bring their own picnic lunches, plus chairs or blankets for seating and a short leash and water for their costumed dachshunds. The club provides snacks and drinks to accompany the picnic.